​Russia may consider protecting its national interests in the Arctic with military means if necessary, the country’s defense minister said, pointing to the increasing interest in the region’s resources by countries with no direct access to the Arctic.

“The constant military presence in the Arctic and a
possibility to protect the state’s interests by the military
means are regarded as an integral part of the general policy to
guarantee national security,” Sergei Shoigu said at a
Ministry of Defense meeting.

“It’s not a secret that the Arctic is turning into one of the
world centers for producing hydrocarbons and is an important
junction for transport communications,” he said. “Some
developed countries that don’t have direct access to the polar
regions obstinately strive for the Arctic, taking certain
political and military steps in that direction.” He also
noted that countries that are adjacent to the Arctic are all
trying to expand their presence.

To be prepared for any threat, brand new Russian submarines have
been rehearsing actions in the glacial conditions of the north
since the beginning of this year. These actions follow last
year’s drills of the quick reaction mobile forces that took place
in the Arctic. The New Siberian Islands, Novaya Zemlya, Frantz
Josef Land Archipelago, and Wrangel Island – all located in the
Arctic Ocean – have seen a continuing creation of modern military
infrastructure.

“To secure the safety of navigation on the Northern Sea Route
and of the response to possible threats in the Arctic region, a
force grouping has been increased at the Chukotski
Peninsula,” Shoigu said.

At the end of last year, Russia adopted a new version of its
military doctrine until the year 2020, which for the first time
named the protection of the country’s national interests in the
Arctic among the main priorities for the armed forces. Within its
framework, a joint strategic command was organized as part of the
Northern Fleet in order to control and coordinate troops.

According to existing international law, Arctic nations – Russia,
the US, Denmark and Greenland, Norway, and Canada – have a right
to develop the continental shelf limited by 200 nautical miles.
Should a state claim further territory, it should provide a
special UN commission with scientific and technical data backing
the claim.

Russia has recently commenced to develop its northern regions,
which includes the production of hydrocarbons, with national
companies developing the exploration and construction of drilling
facilities in the north of the country. The Northern Sea Route is
becoming a more attractive option for shipping goods as ice
melts.

The United States hopes to begin drilling for oil and gas in
offshore areas of Alaska. Last week, the White House produced a set of rules to govern exploratory
drilling in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas that would ensure
companies and contractors are prepared for the Arctic conditions.

Last month, Denmark filed a claim with the UN for a total area of
895,000 square kilometers of the potentially resource-rich Arctic
Ocean sea floor, provoking much criticism from Canada – who
considers the territory its own